Tubeless Noob quest...
 

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Tubeless Noob question

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New bike cane tubeless as far as I can tell. The rear is leaking air via the bottom of the valve. I've tried nipping it up a little but that's stopped working.
Before I take the tyre off to investigate: will I need to replace or top up the sealant?

Thanks in advance. Never had this new fangled tubeless before.


 
Posted : 17/12/2022 2:26 pm
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There's a chance it didn't have sealant in it from the shop/box or that the sealant was old/set.

I've got a slightly damaged valve hole on one of my wheels and after a valve or tyre change it seems to take a little while for the sealant to clog up around the base of the valve and get a decent seal so I'd certainly check sealant if the valve is snug.

However .... If air is getting into the rim bed from damaged or imperfectly sealed rim tape one place it can easily get out is by the valve hole. So your air may be finding its way out somewhere else.


 
Posted : 17/12/2022 2:48 pm
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From experience of other's dodgy taping techniques, it's more likely to be due to that than the valve itself. Sealant can be salvaged and re-used, but expect a fair amount of spillage and drips in the process, and expect to add some more to the often pitiful amount it came with (Try contacting the seller prior to starting, to find out what sealant has been used, to avoid a mismatch).


 
Posted : 17/12/2022 2:59 pm
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Take the wheel off and move it around. Can you hear any liquid sloshing about? If its dead quiet it might just need a top up. Get some sealant, buy a cheap syringe off the bay with a 1mm needle , take the valve core out and put some in. Might not need to touch the tyre.


 
Posted : 17/12/2022 3:24 pm
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Thanks all. My suspension is poor tape wrapping. I'm going to do a tubeless conversion on another bike so I'll buy a kit and have all the parts and sealant handy.
I have wondered if it had any sealant in before. Certainly never heard even a hint of sloshing.


 
Posted : 17/12/2022 8:29 pm
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I'd add a bit more sealant and makes sure it's properly dispersed around the tyre.


 
Posted : 17/12/2022 9:05 pm
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If it is coming from around the valve, and not under the tape elsewhere, adding sealant may well help: the sealant will help fill in around the valve and make that seal better.


 
Posted : 17/12/2022 10:34 pm

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